Monday, August 18, 2014

Phils Get Prospect, Williams Twirls Magic, Blanco Hits

Phils Get Prospect:
Last week the Phillies sent Roberto Hernandez to the Dodgers for the infamous Player To Be Name Later, two of them at that. The first player now has a name, and that name is Jesmuel Valentin, who is the son of former big leaguer Jose Valentin. Jesmuel was a 1st round pick in 2012 and is currently playing at Single-A as a 20 year old. In 3 minor league seasons, he's hit .262/.742 in 246 games, playing shortstop and second base. Scouting reports are mixed on him, as I've read MLB regular or future utility infielder.

Williams Twirls Magic:
As I type, Jerome Williams is pitching a shutout into the 7th inning. He allowed 2 runs in 5.1 IP in his first start with the Phils, and now no runs through 7 IP tonight. That equates to a 1.46 ERA. Obviously, this is unsustainable, as evident from his 6.71 ERA in 28 American League appearances this season and his career 4.50 ERA. However, gotta love it while it lasts.

Blanco Hits:
Andres Blanco has played in 19 games and is batting .323/.860 in 31 at bats. Extremely small sample size, but, hey, we need to recognize and celebrate the small things in this otherwise dismal season.

Hearing that the Phillies are seriously interested in Cuban free agent Rusney Castillo. If that occurs and he is added to the OF mix I would expect Brown to be a prime offseason trade candidate. Also Mayberry won't be back and possibly Byrd being traded. That would leave an OF of Ruf, Castillo, Revere, Cesear Hernandez, and another OF in the mix unless Byrd is back.

My guess is Brown ends the season on the bench, is retained gets a shot at starting to begin the year, ends 2015 on the bench, and is part of a massive franchise explosion where RAJ, Wolverer, Howard, and others go in October. Unlike the Big Peice, who never sees a major league at bat after 2015, Brown's youth and once high stock convinces someone to let him become a left handed bench piece. He bounces around the league for another 3-4 seasons.

Howard currently is tied for fourth with 77 and is on pace for 98. Of course, Howard entered Wednesday with more runners on base than any other hitter in baseball, so those RBI numbers are a bit deceiving.